Space Force issues $47.5 million for prototype data transport service

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force has awarded Sev1Tech a $47.5 million contract to demonstrate a prototype data transport capability that will help connect its space operators with war fighters across the globe.

The demonstration will be part of the Advanced Battle Management System, the Air Force’s contribution to Joint All-Domain Command and Control — a Department of Defense-wide initiative to connect sensors and shooters all over the world in real-time. Specifically, Sev1Tech’s network falls under the ABMS meshONE-Terrestrial program, which is developing a high-bandwidth networking capability at the tactical edge that can connect war fighters from across the joint services, the intelligence community and foreign mission partners.

“Previous network architectures for weapon systems were designed to meet specific user and mission needs,” Space Force Materiel Leader for Data Transport Lt. Col. Louis Aldini said in a statement. “Future network architectures need to be integrated as well as provide enhanced capabilities and efficiencies for the enterprise. meshONE-T is focused on delivering a modernized common solution for all weapon systems.”

Sev1Tech’s prototype will enable a “Data Transport as a Service” capability for select Space Force mission partners, laying the groundwork for a Joint All-Domain Command and Control network. Under the contract, the company will field and operate a multi-node meshONE-T prototype that can facilitate secure communications and cloud connectivity for multi-domain communications.

“meshONE-T is about the ability to get the right information to the right place at the right time. The key attributes are scalability, resiliency, and path diversity,” SSC Cross Mission Ground and Communications Enterprise Director Col. Rhet Turnbull said. “A year from now, we’ll have an operational prototype.”

The contract was issued by Space Systems Command’s Cross-Mission Ground & Communications Enterprise through the Space Enterprise Consortium, an other transaction authority set up to facilitate the Space Force’s rapid prototyping and experimentation efforts.

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